Race officer training

(Updated March 2024.)

Interested in training to become a race officer? The DRSC mentorship scheme is open to all sailors who are ready for the next step. Read on!

Who is this suitable for?

If you are a sailor who has participated in club racing and has a basic understanding of the rules of racing then this could be for you.

Register for the scheme by emailing sailing@drsc.co.uk.
Complete the RYA's race management course (online, free of charge) at any time by visiting their website.
Volunteer for at least two assistant race officer (ARO) duties. If possible, we will allocate you on days when the same person will be acting as race officer. This person will be your "mentor".
Attend the RYA club racing course, delivered by an approved RYA instructor (dates to be confirmed but planned for May). This will be a half-day course at the club to improve your skills (free of charge).
Ideally one of your ARO duties will be before this course and at least one will be afterwards, so you can put your new skills to the test. Now you will act as the race officer, set the course and manage the race. Your mentor will support you throughout.

Once you have demonstrated the skills required, your mentor will sign you off and you will be a fully-fledged race officer - welcome aboard!
We suggest you continue to develop your skills in the next year by acting as race officer on at least two different occasions. You might like to try officiating for a pursuit race, which is a little different.
Now you'll be ready to take the RYA Regional Race Officer course (classroom based, two days, cost TBC) which will give you an official qualification.

Last updated 21:49 on 27 March 2024